The Felines

Below this gallery are short bios of each of our past and present cats as a guide for reading their blog. As time goes by, you will learn more about each of them as well as their personalities and antics. (Click on each cat for a larger portrait, then click the browser’s back button to return to this page.)

Allie S. Blue (Mau’s Wife)

Astrid Blue Hall

Honorary Brofur Bailey Blue

Calista Josette

Angel Chloe

Cooper Murphy

Angel Daphne

Angel Fiona

Giulietta

Lily Olivia

Lisbeth

Angel Louise

Angel MacKenzie

Angel Madison

Mauricio

Misty May

Honorary Sisfur Angel Nylablue

Sawyer

Sampson Hall (Astrid’s Husband)

Angel Skooter

Angel Steamer

Honorary Sisfur Swizzle

Angel Thelma

Angel Twinkle

SKOOTER 05/01/1987 – 2001
AKA “Tub-O-Cat” and “Goodyear”
The offspring of Tubby and a stray female taken in by friends was off to the SPCA if he didn’t find a home. After meeting him we couldn’t let that happen and our love of all things cat was born! Skooter became famous in 1989 with his selection to appear on July 10 and November 22 in the “365 Days of Cats” calendar.

STEAMER 04/02/1989 – 2006
AKA “Little Bit”
Another kitten born to a stray rescued by a friend, she was not the kitten we originally chose but rather the one that selected us. Rather than joining “The Cat on My Head” club, Steamer was able to attach herself to any part of my body and move (without ever losing her balance) right along with me whenever I would roll over.

DAPHNE 03/18/1991 – 2010
I had longed for a tuxedo cat and got my wish when a neighborhood stray, we eventually named “Mom,” deposited a litter of kittens in the engine compartment of my Mazda. The only long-haired cat among the litter, she stole our hearts.

THELMA 02/22/1992 – 2004 and LOUISE 02/22/1992 – 08/04/2009
AKA “The Sisters”
Two more of Mom’s offspring, they were named for the characters in the movie of the same name. Thelma was the original “The Best Cat Ever!” and “The Cat on My Head.” Thankfully she is the only one who used the opportunity to chew my hair. Louise was a true scaredy cat. She was once shut in a neighbor’s basement for two weeks and too spooked to come out even for us …

CHLOE 1992 – 2003
Another stray that found her way to our door, she arrived as we were leaving town for the weekend. She was still waiting for us on our return. Discovering she was in heat, she became ours after having her spayed. She taught us about the less than stellar personalities of calico cats.

TWINKLE 10/1994 – 1998
The last of Mom’s offspring was discovered after the neighbor’s caught Mom and had taken her to the SPCA where she was put to sleep. We were never able to train her wandering ways out of her and she is the only kitty we lost to the street.

LILY OLIVIA 02/28/1999
“The Amazing Barking Cat” and second “Cat on My Head “ was liberated from a group of kittens that were always playing in the street a few blocks from our home. Her three, male siblings, Winston, Parker, and Sebastian, were liberated by a friend.

MADISON 04/1999 – 01/18/2011
The second “The Best Cat Ever!” hung around on our back deck for about six months before he was invited to join the family. Our vet said he was about two years old when he joined us in 2001. Though a white cat with blue eyes, Madison was not deaf. He had the best manners of any cat we’ve ever had proving to us that it is possible to train a cat not that we’ve ever had much success in this pursuit.

MACKENZIE 04/01/2001 – 09/19/2011
AKA “Big Mac”
Originally named Cyrus, the marmalade cat I had wished for in 1997 was another stray. Adopted sight-unseen from a vet, we were surprised to find that he had ringworm and a hernia in need of repair when delivered to us. He became my shadow and followed me everywhere.

MAURICIO and MISTY MAY 09/17/2004
AKA “The Babies”
Some experts say that cats don’t fetch. They have never met Mauricio who thinks such a game is perfect cat entertainment. Named for a retired Brazilian national volleyball team setter, he’s also a pretty good ball-handler. Misty May, the current “Cat on My Head,” is named after the famous Olympic Beach Volleyball gold medalist; though, she can’t be bothered with frivolous play.

GIULIETTA 03/18/2010 and FIONA 03/18/2010 – 12/01/2016
AKA “Tribble” and “Trouble” and “The Kittens”
When it was time to add to the family after Daphne’s passing, I vowed to get only one kitten—a black, short-haired female as I was still missing Thelma. A friend sent me to see a couple of litters she knew about and I immediately fell in love with a grey, long-haired beauty and then her doe-eyed, short-haired sister. Tom was just returning from a trip to Italy, which included a visit to Juliet’s balcony in Verona, and so Giulietta seemed like one perfect name. To see a short video of our talented kitty, visit YouTube and search for “Giulietta the cat speed reads on the iPad.” She has 61,500+ hits but would like to go viral. Named for a character on USA’s “Burn Notice,” Fiona, the velveteen cat, has channeled Thelma’s laid-back personality (my lap is her favorite resting place) even though she resembles Louise.

ASTRID and LISBETH 8/17/2011
AKA “The Angels”
These additions to the household are not related but were raised together. After being abandoned and bottle-fed, Astrid (originally Tabitha) was placed with Lisbeth’s (originally Cary) litter and raised by her mother, Tuxie. Named for a character on Fox’s “Fringe” Astrid was adopted from the no-kill shelter, Barn Cat Buddies, in Hardy, Virginia. Lisbeth, named for the main character in the Stieg Larsson novels, was adopted from Roanoke, Virginia’s, no-kill shelter, Angels of Assisi.

CALISTA JOSETTE (CALLIE JO or C.J.) 06/20/2012
Another Barn Cat Buddy, this kitty came to us as Josette. The name Calista had not been on any of the kitty name lists I keep, but none of those names worked with Josette, which we wanted to keep for a middle name. She is a dilute tortoise shell and one of four kittens born to a feral mother. She is the eighth cat in what is normally a seven kitty household. We’re hoping she doesn’t upset the applecart. Time will tell.

COOPER MURPHY Gotcha Day 01/07/2017AKA “Not Charlie”
Five weeks after our precious Fiona received her wings, she brought us this adorable ginger tabby. Left to fend for himself in a snowstorm, he came to us by way of a friend who could not invite him in because of her three dogs. After posting him as found all over social media and finding no matches to lost cats, we had him scanned for a microchip. Finding he had none, Cooper Murphy joined the ranks of Kitties Blue at an age of about 15 months. He now has a microchip.

SAWYER Gotcha Day 11/26/2017 Housekeeper/Kitty Sitter Chris discovered this four-month-old, 3.9 pound, Manx kitten on the deck of the vacant house next-door to ours on Thanksgiving weekend. She began feeding him and set him up with warm blankets and a box on the deck. When we arrived home and found out, we immediately retrieved him. By the following morning Tom had named him; his and our fates were set from that moment. I did post some “found” cat notices on-line but received no replies. He became kitty number nine of the current residents, making for the most kitties in residence at any time.

Over the years many other strays (Stewert, Noel, Skippy, Trouble, Alex and Teddy to name but a few) have asked for admittance, but, alas, had to find other homes. We are pleased that none had to go to the SPCA and all were placed in loving homes.

NYLABLUE 12/24/2001 – 11/22/2014
Lovely Nylablue joined us as an Honorary Kitty Blue on 6/14/2013. She and her mum live in Ontario, Canada. Nylablue was five years old in 2006 when she was adopted by Sherri-Ellen. Her name was just “Nyla.” Nyla means Dark Blue in Sanskrit. Nylablue’s mum added blue to her name and she has answered to that ever since. Nylablue is a fan of Bollywood movies! To learn more and follow Nylablue on her blog, you can find her at Nylablue and Sherriellen’s Purrfect Pad.

BAILEY BLUE 07/09/2011
Bailey joined us as an Honorary Kitty Blue on 07/30/2013. We invited him as a gift for his second birthday. Bailey is a seal point Siamese who was born in the south of France. His human mom is Cornish and his human dad is an Aussie. Bailey is the famous boat cat who sails the seas on Nocturne. Nocturne is docked near Rome. When not sailing, Bailey lives with his two woofie fursibs, April and Blue. To learn more (if you don’t already know Bailey), you can find him at Bailey Boat Cat.

SAMPSON “SAMPY” HALL 03/22/2012A handsome tuxie married to the beautiful Astrid, Sampson is a trouble maker, a food stealer, and a heart winner. He is a jack of all trades – a singer, an acrobat, a suckler (the neck is his favorite suckle spot). He is also a master conversationalist. Underneath it all though, he is one big lover boy, happy to spend his days cuddled up with his mom.

Kitties Blue 2015 New Year’s Resolutions

1. Get more scritches.
2. Get more belly rubs.
3. Get more treats and nip.
4. Always come when called unless napping, playing, eating, watching bird TV, day dreaming or participating in other cat-approved activities.
5. If in, demand to go out.
6. If out, demand to come in.
7. Don’t wash our butts in front of company unless it is an emergency.
8. Don’t eat Mom’s flowers when she’s watching.
9. Take up as much space in the humans’ bed as possible by sleeping east/west instead of north/south.
10. Clear the kitchen counters of all items whenever possible.
11. Pretend to be deaf whenever a human is speaking to us.
12. Always help Mom with her crossword puzzles and sudoku.

What a fine album of fur people you have. We loved reading about all these great kitties. Obviously they are very loved and love their humans as well. It’s nice to meet everyone and to hear about those who are now angels. Great tribute!
Purrs and Soft Paw Pats to all!!! 🙂

Beautiful gang ~~ It is nice to know we are not the only household with numerous kittie-energies …

Jazzy, Truffie, Whisper, Shady Boudreaux O’Neill, Goldie, Callie, Midnite and Tabasco — and if that is not enough energy to keep everyone on their toes, we have puppy-energy too from Chloe and Utah!!becca givens recently posted…Wordless Wednesday

Hi Janet: Sherri-Ellen here….I just wanted to say I truly enjoyed reading about all your cats..past & present…Like me you have had alot & they are all so unique & special…
Was Madison part Siamese?? Those blue eyes are breath taking…
We have a page titled Mum’s Past 4 Leggeds. Not sure if you have seen it…there are a few still to add.
Cats make the world a much better place, don’t they??
Sherri-Ellen (Mum & slave of Nylablue)

Hi, I tried sending you, Scout Mau’s Mum, a thought about Swizzle, and it bounced back. I had an idea about her toileting, is it potty? Please email me,and my 2nd thought is swizzle needs advertised also as a companion toca sisfurr or brofurr older than Swizzle, or her same age!

What a beautiful gallery!
I’m always teary when reading about these graceful animals. Lots of memories and reflection going on in such moments.
Thank you for being such a generous Mama to these kittos!

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.